Rail-joint.



G, P. BROWN;

RAIL JOINT. A PlfLIoATIoN FILED sBPT.12, 1907.

Patented sept.29,1908.

/N V EN T 7]( COMMODORE PERRY BROWN, OF RONGEVERTE, WEST VIRGINIA.

RAIL-JOINT Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 12, 1907.

Patented septae, 1908.

serial No. 392,592.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, COMMODORE P. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Ronceverte, West Virginia, have invented a new anduseful Rail-Joint, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to rail joints.

A An exemplifying structure embodying the invention will be describedand the advantages of the invention fully set forth in connection withthe description.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a view partly in plan and partlyin section of my improved rail joint ig. 2 a side` elevation, Fig. 3 atransverse section on the line 3, 3, Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 a transversesection on the line 4, 4, Fig. 1.

Reference numeral 1 designates two adjoining rails; 2 fish plates, oneon each side of the rails bridging the joint; 5, wedge-like slots in thebases of the fish-plates engaging the rail bases; 6, the ordinarylongitudinal heads of the fish plates engaging ther under side of therail heads; 7, yokes, four in number for each joint, arranged in pairs8, the upper arms of the yokes shaped to engage the bases of fish platesat 9 and the heads 6 at' 10, referably leaving a clearance at 11 12, theower arms of the yokes engaging the lower faces of the bases of the fishlates, each of the arms 12 being centrally s otted; 13, links one foreach pair of clamping yokes 7, passing beneath the fish plates andbetween the bifurcations of arms 12 of the yokes; 14, hubs of yokes 7 atthe adjoining point of their arms 8 and 12, these hubs being hollowedout at the bottom to receive enlargements 15 of links 13; 16, pinspassing through holes in hubs 14 and enlargements 15 of the links 13,one pin for each yoke; 17, the center portion of the pins engaging thelinks 13, and placed eccentrically to the main aXis of the pin; 18,squared ends of the pins 16; 19, ratchet plates mounted on the innerends of the pins 16 and having ratchet teeth presenting toward theyokes; 20, teeth one on each yoke engaging the teeth of ratchet plates19; 21, springs one for each ratchet plate, 22, caps fitting over thepins and forming a casing for the springs and ratchets and 23,Cotter-pins passing through the pins and securing the caps 22 inposition.

After the parts are loosely assembled in a manner which will be obviousto those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, the joint istightened by applying wrenches to the nut-like ends of pin 16 androtating the pins so as to move the eccentrics 17 away from the rails.This, by reason of the engagement of the eccentrics with links 13 forcesthe yokes 7 toward the rails. The arms of the yoke wedge upon the edgesof the bases of the fish plates at the points 9 and the ends of arms 8of the yokes are pressed firmly against the webs of the fish plates andagainst the under faces of their heads 6. This pressure is in turncommunicated to the fish plates which are wedged firmly upon the basesof the rails. The heads 6 of the fish plates are also brought into firmengagement with the under faces of the rail heads.

Practically any desired clamping-pressure may be applied to the joint bythe mechanism described. The ratchet-plates 19 as the pins revolve rideover teeth 2O on the yokes and serve to retain the pins in any positionin which they are placed. The joint when once set up is by this meanspositively locked and vibration cannot loosen it. The clamping action issuch as to effectively support all necessary parts and the joint as awhole is even stronger than the rail, so that no deflection at the jointis ossible.

Having describe my invention I claim:

1. In a rail joint the combination with the vadjoining rails of fishplates having wedge shaped slots in their bases engaging the rail bases,clamping yokes arranged in pairs, a link for each pair of yokes and'pins one for each yoke passing through holes in the yokes and links,each pin having an eccentric portion engaging the link.

2. In a rail joint the combination with the adjoining rails of fishplates having wedgeshaped slots in their bases engaging the rail bases,clamping yokes varranged in airs, a link for each pair of yokes, pinsone or each yoke passing through holes in the yokes and links, each pinhaving an eccentric portion engaging the link, ratchet plates connectedto turn with the pins, a ratchet tooth on each yoke engaging the ratchetplate, springs serving to rurge the plates against the teeth, and capscovering and protecting the ratchet mechanism.

3. In a rail joint the combination of the adjoining rails, fish platesone on each side of the links and serving When rotated to (lraw therails, Clamping yokes arranged opposite the yokes toward the rails andclamp all each other and engaging the fish plates, a link parts, foreach pair of yokes passing under the fish t COMMODORE PERRY BROWN.

' plates through slots in the lower arms of the Witnesses:

yokes and pins passing through the yokes and J. F. BROWN, links andhaving eccentric portions engaging T.l A. DEAVER.

